eCite Digital Repository
Epizootics of metazoan gill parasites did not threaten feasibility of farming southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) in a trial extending over summer months
Citation
Hayward, CJ and Aiken, H and Nowak, BF, Epizootics of metazoan gill parasites did not threaten feasibility of farming southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) in a trial extending over summer months, Veterinary Parasitology, 154, (1-2) pp. 122-128. ISSN 0304-4017 (2008) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.02.027
Abstract
Abstract
Tuna farming off Port Lincoln, Australia, involves catching wild 2–4-year-old southern bluefin tuna in summer and then
fattening for periods of 2–8 months. As fresh product is not available year-round, the feasibility of maintaining tuna for longer
periods was trialled, including over a summer season, when temperatures may exceed 24 8C. As the rates of growth and
reproduction in ectoparasites of fishes are usually most rapid during warm temperatures, parasite epizootics at this time may
adversely affect the health of tuna.We collected epidemiological data on burdens of metazoans on the gills of tuna from the time of
stocking in April 2005 through to final harvest in August 2006 (N = 220).We document an epizootic of the copepod Pseudocycnus
appendiculatus, characterised by a significant increase in both prevalence and mean intensity in the first winter, followed by a
decline in these parameters over the next 12 months. This epizootic pattern appears to be independent of seasonal changes in
temperature. For two other species, a second copepod (Euryphorus brachypterus) and a polyopisthocotylean flatworm (Hexostoma
thynni), there were no clearly discernible trends in infections. As the high water temperatures over the summer period did not lead to
increased infections of any species of gill parasites, we conclude that they do not threaten the feasibility of farming of Thunnus
maccoyii.
# 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Aquaculture; Epizootic; Epidemiology; Monogenea; Parasitic copepoda
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Research Division: | Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences |
Research Group: | Fisheries sciences |
Research Field: | Fish pests and diseases |
Objective Division: | Animal Production and Animal Primary Products |
Objective Group: | Fisheries - aquaculture |
Objective Field: | Aquaculture tuna |
UTAS Author: | Hayward, CJ (Dr Craig Hayward) |
UTAS Author: | Aiken, H (Mr Hamish Aiken) |
UTAS Author: | Nowak, BF (Professor Barbara Nowak) |
ID Code: | 56538 |
Year Published: | 2008 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 12 |
Deposited By: | NC Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability |
Deposited On: | 2009-05-11 |
Last Modified: | 2014-11-25 |
Downloads: | 0 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page